Chemo and arthritis

saugustine

Posts: 1
Joined: Jan 2013

Jan 05, 2013 - 9:36 am

Hi all, I've been experiencing a lot of joint/muscle pain and wondering if anyone can shed some light.

Here's my story. In 1994 was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer on right side and had A/C followed by radiation. In 2005 was diagnosed wistent age 2 BC on left side and was given Taxotere, again followed by radiation. In 2010 I started experiencing progressively worsening joint pain. I started seeing a Rheumatologist. She prescribed Meloxocam which didn't realty help and finally Etodolac. Last March, ugh, I was diagnosed with stage 1 BC on right side. Finally had bilateral mastectomy (I was 30 when first diagnosed and terrified of mastectomy so it took 3 times before I was forced into it!). Maybe because of the surgeries (in the midst of reconstruction now) and the pain meds from those it has not bEnn bad. I am recently having the joint pain come back. It's debilitating and exhausting. By end of the day I'm so tired after working that all I want to do is sleep but can't sleep comfortably. Sorry for long explanation. I feel that all of the chemo and rad are taking a toll on my body and am wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. I've seen some older posts but nothing recent so wanted to bring it up again. anyinsight would be helpful!

Have you seen your oncologist about this joint pain? They need to do a bone scan to figure out if it is cancer, arthritis or some other medical issue.

The best tests for bone is an MRI but insurance companies often make us begin with x-ray, bone scans and work the way up the ladder for the better tests. Bone scans do show uptake in areas that have cancer but also can show arthritis and other problems, so if there is an uptake, it still can be other medical issues. Then you are often given the next test for the area of the uptake.

Living in pain is not an option, it removes all the joy in life. You need an answer and only your doctor can provide that answer from the results of testing.

I did do chemo and radiation and did not have any longer term problem with them such as bone pain.

I finished chemo in April 2012, and I hurt all over! My knees, my elbows, my shoulders, mu biceps, my hamstrings... muscle and joint pain. As you say, I am exhausted by the end of the day and can't wait to go to bed only to toss and turn trying to find the right spot to sleep on!

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